Saint Peter Public Schools

Recently, the Saint Peter High School theater department made a big splash, taking audience members on a 'fin-tastic' adventure under the sea in its production of “The Little Mermaid”. After weeks of long rehearsals, choreography, singing, set design, costumes, and more, SPHS students and staff pulled together a wonderful show that had near-full houses every night!

(PICTURED ABOVE) Evan Embacher and Bekah Roemhildt have entertained SPHS theater audiences for most of their high school years, and each had a large role in this year's fall musical production of 'The Little Mermaid."

SPHS seniors Bekah Roemhildt (Ursula) and Evan Embacher (Prince Eric) are two long-time veterans of the school’s theater program. Both had large roles in the fall musical and plan on staying busy with the theater program the rest of the school year. Each was recently cast in the SPHS one act play, which will compete in late January. The dynamic acting duo had a moment recently to reflect on their experience in the fall musical and time in the theater department. See their responses below:

How long have you been involved in the SPHS theater program? How long have you been doing theater in general? What shows have you been involved in (fall and spring)?

Bekah: I’ve been involved in the SPHS theater program since my freshman year, so four years now! I’ve been involved in every show, including plays and one acts, with the exception of one in my first year! These shows include musicals such as The Addams Family, where I played Wednesday, and Into the Woods, where I played Little Red Riding Hood! In the plays such as Robin Hood and The Play That Goes Wrong, I played Tommy of No Consequence and Taylor (originally in the script as Trevor)!

Evan:  I will have been involved in the SPHS theater program for three years at the end of this year. I started theater at SPHS, so the answer is also three years. I have been involved in Into the Woods (Jack), Elephants Graveyard (Steam Shovel Operator), Marian the True Tale of Robin Hood (Tanner), The Addams Family (Lucas Beineke), Too Many Detectives at the Murder Mansion (Frank Hardy), The Play That Goes Wrong (Max (Cecil Haversham)), and now, Prince Eric!

What were you most excited for the audience to see with this show?

Bekah: Truly, I was mostly excited for the overall magic of it. I think the costumes, the lights, and the sets were so fun. This was such a beloved story, and being able to bring it to life on stage for so many was truly wonderful! I was mainly excited for people to experience that Disney Magic!

Evan: I was most excited for the audience to see the ‘Under the Sea’ performance.

How did rehearsals go (leading up to the performance dates), and what did you enjoy most about them?

Bekah: Rehearsals went great! It’s always a little stressful, but that’s part of the process! I feel like we were almost ahead in the way things have been going this year, and it’s so great. 

Evan: Rehearsals were great! We were working on doing full act run throughs, and things really came together. Every year, we always think we are behind until we start running it. Then everyone realizes that we know more than we think.

What are your plans after high school?

Bekah: I currently plan to attend St. Olaf College and study music performance and composition! I’m a songwriter and primarily a singer, so I plan to hopefully share my songs and properly craft them.

Evan: I'm not 100% on my plans after high school, but I don't think I am going to continue doing theater. Recently finance or some sort of business major has been on my mind.

What have you most gained from being involved in the SPHS theater program?

Bekah: The SPHS theater program has taught me a number of things, but the most important thing has been our community building. I’ve developed such close friendships with this cast and with other shows’ casts as well. It shows me that the community is the biggest strength in having a good show. With the directors, crew, fellow cast mates, and with yourself.

Evan: I have mostly gained friendship and family from the SPHS theater program. While acting and singing in front of large crowds helps with my social skills, I definitely think that my cast and crew members have been the greatest part of this whole experience. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing.